Horse riding is fun and exciting for both adults and children. The physical benefits include using up an awful lot of energy and exercising your muscles - including some you never knew you had! An hour’s horse riding is the same as a good jog or game of tennis, and can use 220 calories per hour.

The only essential equipment is a riding helmet of the current standard and this can initially be borrowed from a riding school. Wear snug fitting trousers, sturdy shoes with a heel and no loose fitting clothing or jewellery.

Once you have mastered the basic techniques, the choice is limitless. A gentle hack around can introduce you to a countryside that you normally would not see. On horseback you can see over the hedges, and wildlife is not scared away by what to them is a fellow creature and not a predator.